Former United States President Ronald W. Reagan died this past weekend, following a 10-year battle with Alzheimers disease. Reagan, whose popularity and success instituted the “Reagan Revolution” in American politics — a resurgance to power of the Republican Party and a reinvigoration of the American presence in global politics — was the 40th President of the United States, serving from 1981 to 1988.

Born and raised in Illinois, Reagan made a name for himself in both “A-” and “B-movies” during the era of Hollywood’s “studio system,” and served as president of the Screen Actors Guild. His experiences with SAG and as a film industry spokesman convinced him to enter California politics. After serving two terms as California’s Governor, Reagan made multiple runs for the White House, eventually capitalizing on the voting public’s displeasure with the incumbant democratic Jimmy Carter presidency to win the 1980 Presidential race. Under Reagan’s leadership and influence, the Republican party sought to reduce the size of government and reduce taxes, while at the same time increasing military spending and making the United States a much more powerful presence on the global peacekeeping stage than it had been since the 1960s. Reagan survived an assassination attempt early in his Presidency (1981), but will probably be best remembered as the man who “won the Cold War without a single shot being fired” — Reagan’s military build-up and hard-line stance on arms control in the mid-1980s, combined with a new progressive government in the Soviet Union, ultimately contributed to the tearing down of the Berlin wall and the dissolution of the USSR

After eight years in the White House, filled with major accomplishments (the reduced influence of Communism abroad), global crises (terrorist attacks, including the bombing of a Marine HQ in Beirut that resulted in 241 deaths) and occasional blemishes (such as the Iran-Contra affair, and the tripling of the national debt to fund military growth), Reagan left office in 1988 to settle into civilian life. In 1994, in a letter to the American people, Ronald Reagan revealed that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease — an incurable condition that results in the gradual deterioration of mental faculties. In his private life, sequestered from public view, Reagan became perhaps the most public example of a disease that has plagued society for decades, and Americans across the spectrum of society could sympathize with his wife and family as reports of his decline were released to the press. Despite the shadow over his final years, Reagan’s skills as “the Great Communicator” and his ability to both connect with the common man and achieve political consensus will ensure him a place as one of America’s most notable Presidents.

We list here a sampling of the hundreds of books, videos, audiotapes and other material about Ronald Reagan in the Lincoln City Libraries’ collection. For even more material about Reagan, his Presidency and the period of American history from the Reagan era, we encourage you to search our on-line catalog under any of the following subect headings: Reagan, Ronald ; United States — Politics and Government — 1981-1989 (Reagan) ; Conservativism ; Presidents — Biography — 1900-1999 or United States — History — 1981-1989 (Reagan).

The links in this section of this list will take you directly into the items’ entries in the catalog of the Lincoln City Libraries, where you can check on the items’ availability throughout the library system.

The Right Moment: Ronald Reagan’s First Victory and the Decisive Turning Point in American Politics – Matthew Dallek – 324.979 Dal
On the Brink: The Dramatic Behind-the-Scenes Saga of the Reagan Era and the Men and Women Who Won the Cold War – Jay Winik – 327.2 Win
Reagan’s War: The Epic Story of his Forty Year Struggle and Final Triumph Over Communism – Peter Schweizer – 327.73 Sch
The Films of Ronald Reagan – Tony Thomas – 791.43 qReaYt
Where’s the Rest of Me? – Ronald Reagan – 791.432 Rea
The Age of Reagan: The Fall of the Old Liberal Order, 1964-1980 – Steven F. Hayward – 973.92 Hay
October Surprise: America’s Hostages in Iran and the Election of Ronald Reagan – Gary Sick – 973.926 Sic
“The President Has Been Shot” — Confusion, Disability and the 25th Amendment in the Aftermath of the Attempted Assassination of Ronald Reagan – Herbert L. Abrams – 973.927 Abr
Ronald Reagan: The Presidential Portfolio: A History Illustrated From the Collection of the Ronald Reagan Library and Museum – Lou Cannon – 973.927 Can
Call the Briefing! Bush and Reagan, Sam and Helen: A Decade With Presidents and the Press – Marlin Fitzwater – 973.927 Fit
Sleepwalking Through History: American During the Reagan Years – Haynes Johnson – 973.927 Joh
God and Ronald Reagan: A Spiritual Life – Paul Kengor – 973.927 Ken
With Reagan: The Inside Story – Edwin Meese – 973.927 Mee
What I Saw at the Revolution: A Political Life in the Reagan Era – Peggy Noonan – 973.927 Noo
The City on a Hill: Fulfilling Ronald Reagan’s Vision for America – Michael Reagan & Jim Denney – 973.927 Rea
Ronald Reagan: The Great Communicator – Ronald Reagan – 973.927 Rea
Stories in His Own Hand: The Everyday Wisdom of Ronald Reagan – Ronald Reagan – 973.927 Rea
How Ronald Reagan Changed My Life – Peter Robinson – 973.927 Rob
Reagan: The Man and His Presidency – Deborah H. Strober – 973.927 Str
Reagan’s America – Garry Wills – 973.927 Wil
The President and Mrs. Reagan — An American Love Story – Harry Benson – B qR227b
Dear Americans: Letters From the Desk of President Ronald Reagan – Ronald Reagan – B R227
An American Life [the official autobiography of Ronald Reagan] – Ronald Reagan – B R227
Reagan, In His Own Hand: The Writing of Ronald Reagan That Reveal His Revolutionary Vision for America – Ronald Reagan – B R227
Reagan: A Life in Letters – Ronald Reagan – B R227
The Reagan Wit: The Humor of the American President – Ronald Reagan – B R227
President Reagan: The Role of a Lifetime – Lou Cannon – B R227c
Angels Don’t Die: My Father’s Gift of Faith – Patti Davis – B R227d
A Different Drummer: My 30 Years With Ronald Reagan – Michael Deaver – B R227d
Dutch: A Memoir of Ronald Reagan – Edmund Morris – B R227m
When Character Was King: A Story of Ronald Reagan – Peggy Noonan – B R227n
I Love You, Ronnie: The Letters of Ronald Reagan to Nancy Reagan – Nancy Reagan – B R227r
Ronald Reagan: His Life in Pictures – James Spada – B R227s
Ronald Reagan: A Legacy Remembered – A&E Home Video – DVD B R227r
Exit With Honor: The Life and Presidency of Ronald Reagan – William E. Pemberton – E-book
Ronald Reagan: The Many Lives – A&E Home Video – Video B R227r
Reagan – PBS Home Video – Video B R227r

The following databases on the Lincoln City Libraries site can be used to access numerous articles and/or links to additional resources on-line. [If you have difficulty using these databases, please contact the Reference Department at 441-8530 for assistance.]